Why I’d Still Choose the Broken World

Imagine this:
You're offered a perfect life. No pain, no aging, no traffic, no bad knees, no late-night news cycle trying to convince you the world is on fire. It’s paradise—green, quiet, and unshakably peaceful. You’re told you can stay there forever. There's just one condition: you'll never see or speak to another soul again.

No friends. No family. No strangers. No laughter echoing down the hallway. No conversations that change your mind or make you late for dinner.

Just you. And God. Forever.

At first, it sounds tempting. After all, the world is a mess. We've all had enough heartbreak, noise, and nonsense to last several lifetimes. I’ve lived long enough to see how deep the cracks in the foundation go. So the offer of peace? It’s no small thing.

But even before the thought experiment finished playing out in my mind… I knew my answer.
I’d still choose the broken world.

Not because it’s easier. It’s not.
Not because it always makes sense. It doesn’t.
But because the mess is where the people are.

As broken, frustrating, loud, and occasionally just plain stupid as it is… it’s also full of stories. And people. And bad coffee. And small kindnesses. And long talks that stretch into forgiveness. It’s full of the sound of someone calling your name, the warmth of being needed, the beauty of watching someone change—for better or worse.

And maybe most importantly: it’s the place God chose too.

“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33

He didn’t stay outside of it all, holding court from a distance. He stepped in. Into the dirt and noise and betrayal and blood and dinner tables and tears and laughter.
He chose the mess.
And I think that tells us something.

So no—I wouldn’t trade this bruised-up, banged-up world for an empty Eden. Because love has to be shared. And you can’t share anything if you're the only one left in the garden.

John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The broken world is where grace shows up, because it’s where we are—and it’s where Christ came to meet us. Philippians 2:7–8 tells us that He “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross.” He didn’t choose the easy road. He chose us. And that is why, even with all its pain and noise, I’d still choose the broken world.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.

Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)